Director of IT Architecture Contract

Position Title Director of IT Architecture

Department Information Technology

Reports to Chief Information Officer

Appointment Full-Time; 40 hours per week/12 months

Status Exempt

Job Description

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Director of IT Architecture to join our private university. This position will lead, develop, and implement architectural strategies that support our institution’s goals and objectives. The Director will play a crucial role in driving the architectural vision and roadmap, ensuring that our IT infrastructure and systems are aligned with the higher education industry’s leading practices and our university’s strategic plan, particularly as the institution is embarking on an ERP evaluation and systems modernization effort. As a leader in the IT department, the Director will collaborate across IT and other departments to foster innovation, streamline processes, and facilitate change.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is an experienced professional with extensive experience in both enterprise and technical architecture, preferably within the higher education sector. They should possess a strong background in project management, demonstrating an ability to lead complex initiatives from concept through to completion including an ERP implementation. A proven track record as a change agent, with skills in managing and navigating organizational changes effectively, is essential. We value candidates who are team-oriented, excellent communicators, and adept at building relationships across all levels of the organization. The successful candidate will be pragmatic, focusing on practical and actionable architectural solutions that deliver real value. They should be less theoretical and more application-driven, with a passion for implementing strategies that enhance operational efficiency, academic excellence, data-insights, adaptability, and growth.

Work Environment

This position offers a dynamic and collaborative work environment in a highly respected private university. The Director of IT Architecture will have the opportunity to work with diverse stakeholders, including faculty, students, administrators, and IT professionals, to influence the future direction of the University’s technology landscape. We pride ourselves on fostering a culture of innovation, excellence, and continuous learning. The Director will collaborate with a team of dedicated IT professionals, providing guidance and mentorship while working to achieve collective goals and ensure successful outcomes. Flexibility, creativity, and a commitment to the University’s mission are hallmarks of our work culture.

Responsibilities

Strategic and Enterprise Architecture

• Align architectural strategies with the university’s overall strategic plan, ensuring that IT initiatives support academic and administrative goals.
• Apply frameworks such as TOGAF, Zachman, ITANA, or FEAF to create a cohesive architecture that supports scalability, security, and efficiency.

Interpersonal and Communication

• Effectively communicate and collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders, including faculty, students, administrators, IT staff, and vendors.
• Mentor, motivate, and guide stakeholders toward achieving strategic objectives.

Technical Architecture

• In collaboration with others, design and integrate complex IT systems in an academic setting, ensuring they meet functional and non-functional (performance, scale, flexibility, recoverability…) requirements.
• Evaluate and incorporate emerging technologies into existing and emergent architecture to drive innovation and improvement.
• Apply knowledge of applications that are in use today (e.g., Canvas, Slate, ADP) and stay abreast of emerging applications needed to achieve desired business outcomes in the future.

ERP/SIS

• In collaboration with others, select, implement, and manage enterprise application platforms tailored to higher education needs, including modules for finance, human resources, student information systems, and more.
• Work with colleagues to integrate enterprise platforms with other campus technologies and customize solutions to meet specific organizational needs.

Practical and Application-Focused

• Develop practical and efficient solutions to complex issues using strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Use a pragmatic and results-oriented approach to architecture, prioritizing tangible achievable outcomes over theoretical concepts.

Project Management and Leadership

• Lead and manage large-scale projects and initiatives from inception to successful completion within budget and timeline constraints, with the support of the project management team.
• Use change management skills to lead organizational change and drive the adoption of new systems and processes.

Data Management and Analytics

• Apply data governance frameworks and strategies that ensure data accuracy, privacy, accessibility, and security.
• Leverage data to inform decision-making and strategic planning using analytics and business intelligence tools and methodologies.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in IT architecture, with at least 2 years in a leadership role
• Demonstrated expertise in enterprise and technical architecture frameworks, methodologies, and tools (e.g. TOGAF, FEAF, Itana, etc.)
• Strong project management skills, with a proven ability to lead and deliver complex projects on time and within budget
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Experience as a change agent using formal change management best practices with a track record of implementing successful organizational transformations
• A practical, results-oriented mindset with a focus on delivering actionable solutions that drive academic and operational improvements
• Ability to foster a positive, collaborative work environment, encouraging teamwork and innovation

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field
• Experience working in higher education
• Experience in evaluating and successfully implementing an ERP

The above description is intended to be suggestive of the scope of the position, rather than an exhaustive list.

Qualified applicants should submit a cover letter addressing qualifications for the position, resume, and contact information for three professional references. Please submit all materials at the time of initial application.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. This is an on-campus position and is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Bradley University offers a competitive benefits package including health, dental, vision, life and disability coverages, FSA, HSA, and retirement plan options. Bradley also offers significant higher education cost savings for employees and dependents through the Tuition Remission program. Information regarding our benefits can be found here: https://www.bradley.edu/offices/business/human-resources/benefits/

Bradley University is a top-ranked, private university in Peoria, Illinois, offering nearly 6,000 undergraduate and graduate student’s opportunities, choices, and resources to build their futures. Innovation, action, and collaboration drive Bradley students to generate ideas and create solutions that remake the world around them. Our comprehensive array of undergraduate and graduate academic programs includes business, communications, education, engineering, fine arts, health sciences, liberal arts and sciences, and technology.

Employment with Bradley University is contingent upon successful completion of a criminal background check.

Bradley University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. The administration, faculty and staff are committed to attracting qualified candidates from underrepresented groups.